Weather alerts in Ottawa end after freezing rain, heavy winds

The weather is still unpredictable in the capital with strong wind gusts expected after chipping out from a thin layer of ice. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

Weather alerts for freezing rain and strong wind gusts in Ottawa have ended after a day of messy winter weather.

Environment Canada lifted the freezing rain warning just before 11 a.m. on Monday, after several hours of freezing rain left a layer of ice on roads, sidewalks and vehicles. A total of 18 mm of freezing rain and rain was recorded in Ottawa on Monday.

A special weather statement was in effect for Ottawa in the afternoon, calling for wind gusts up to 70 km/h. It ended just before 7 p.m. The forecast still calls for winds of 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h late this evening.

The storm, which hit most of southern Ontario, caused flight delays and cancellations at the Ottawa International Airport, and Via Rail is warning some trains on the Ottawa-Montreal-Toronto corridor could be delayed or cancelled.

Weather warnings

The special weather statement calls for strong northwesterly and southwesterly wind gusts up to 70 km/h beginning this morning and easing tonight.

“The winds will become northwesterly through the afternoon,” Environment Canada said.

“The winds will ease tonight. Significant ice build-up from freezing rain is expected to lead to more impacts from these winds.”

The winds are expected to gust 30 to 50 km/h tonight and 40 km/h to 60 km/h on Tuesday.

Travel

The freezing rain storm could disrupt travel plans for people in Ottawa today.

Twelve flights have been cancelled and several others have been delayed at the Ottawa International Airport on Monday. Twelve departures were cancelled on Sunday.

Travellers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Via Rail is warning some trains are cancelled or adjusted and delays are possible on Monday in the Ottawa-Montreal-Toronto corridor.

According to the Via Rail website, train 641 from Ottawa to Toronto on Monday morning has been cancelled. Train 41 from Ottawa to Toronto is delayed.

Train 31 from Montreal to Ottawa was cancelled on Monday morning.

Ottawa roads

The City of Ottawa says snowplows were deployed overnight to clear ice from roads and sidewalks.

“Roads are in pretty good condition this morning,” Bryden Denyes, area manager of roads, told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s The Morning Rush.

“Mostly wet; there is some slushy spots still out there but overall, I’m very happy with the work they completed last night.”

Denyes says the city will not need to issue a winter weather parking ban.

The City of Ottawa declared a “significant weather event” due to the freezing rain.

The city says the declaration suspends the Maintenance Quality Standards timelines required for staff to meet winter maintenance objectives.

In an update on social media Monday afternoon Coun. Tim Tierney, chair of the public works and infrastructure committee, said the transportation network is expected to be fully restored by the evening.

“The Significant Weather Event will remain in effect until 7 p.m. tonight. The storm predominantly stayed south of the city and was not as severe as initially forecasted,” he said on X. “Crews are hard at work and, as a result, the transportation network is expected to be fully restored by this evening. Even though it wasn’t as bad as we thought, conditions in some areas remain slippery. If you must go out today, continue to travel with care!”

City of Ottawa services

The City of Ottawa says all camps, tournaments and special events, including the Bell Capital Cup, will proceed as planned today despite the weather.

All Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services drop-in activities scheduled before 9 a.m. are cancelled today.

Weather forecast

The forecast calls for freezing rain changing to drizzle this morning and then to flurries this afternoon. High 1 C with the temperature falling to -2 C this afternoon. It will feel like -15 with the wind chill this afternoon.

Flurries are expected tonight. Two centimetres of snow is in the forecast. Low -14 C.

Tuesday will see flurries ending in the afternoon then cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. High -10 C with the wind chill making it feel like -18.

Wednesday will be cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of flurries. High -10 C.

The outlook for New Year’s Day calls for sunshine. High -16 C.

Friday will see a mix of sun and cloud. High – 9 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of -6 C and a low of -14 C.